1 Samuel 23:1-28

Section 4 Subsection B. David Delivers Keilah From An Invasion By The Philistines, Is Visited by Jonathan, And Evades Capture By Saul (1 Samuel 23:1)

a David Delivers Keilah From An Invasion By The Philistines (1 Samuel 23:1).

b Saul Calls In The Levy Of The Tribes In Order To Trap David In Keilah, David Learns That Keilah Will Hand Him Over To Saul (1 Samuel 23:6).

c Jonathan Visits David In Order To Assure Him That He Need Not Be Afraid Of Saul's Searches Because YHWH Is With Him (1 Samuel 23:14).

b The Ziphites Try To Hand David Over To Saul And Saul Calls On His Men To Pursue David (1 Samuel 23:19).

a David Is Delivered From Saul By An Invasion Of The Philistines (1 Samuel 23:25).

In this subsection we have emphasised before us the undependability of men and the total dependability of God. Whether it was in delivering a needy city, or escaping from a vengeful Saul, men could not be relied on, and it was God alone Who would prove reliable. This would even be confirmed by Saul's son as he declared that David's future was secure, not because of his men, but because God was with him. That is not, however, to deny that there were faithful men who were ready to stand by him to the end.